Agenda and draft minutes

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last three meetings held on 6^th & 20^th July and 17^th August 2021.

The minutes of the meetings of 6^th and 20^th July and 17^th August 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutes (if any).

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Alan Bell and Viven Edge.

Notice was received that Councillor Paul Goodale was attending as a substitute for Councillor Bell.

Guests:

John Turner, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group

(CCG)

Sandra Williamson, Chief Operating Officer, East Locality, Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Simon Evans, Chief Operating Officer, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT)

Dr Andrew Ian Dodderel GP, former clinical lead in East Lincolnshire and former Chairman of East Lincolnshire CCG

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

None.

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, 13^th September 2021.

None.

A debate facilitated by the Chairman and the Committee’s Lead Officer, Andy Fisher (Assistant Director – Assets) and the following guests:

·         John Turner, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCG)

·         Sandra Williamson, Chief Operating Officer, East Locality, Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCG)

·         Simon Evans, Chief Operating Officer, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT)

The Chief Executive of the CCG addressed the meeting to give an overview of the current situation.

Structure, operation and funding

The CCG received approximately £1.3bn per ann from the Government with which it planned, organised and commissioned the health services in the best interests of the people of Lincolnshire. 

There were a number of provider organisations in the county, i.e. 3 NHS trusts, including United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust, responsible for Pilgrim Hospital; the Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust, which provided mental health services; and the Community Health Trust, responsible for all community services, such as community nurses, community hospitals and therapy services.  In addition, there were the ambulance service, 85 general practices, plus pharmacists, optometrists etc.  The vast majority of NHS staff provided direct health care to the population and the CCG was responsible for co-ordinating those services following Government guidance and was managed by NHS England. 

It was crucial for all these to work together as one Lincolnshire NHS team with available resources to serve the population as well as possible.  There had previously been 4 CCGs in Lincolnshire and these had been merged into one.  It was believed a single CCG would prevent duplication and provide a better opportunity to deliver co-ordinated care, and to work closely with partners across the county, including local authorities, care and voluntary sectors.

The NHS was on the journey to “integrated” care, to provide more joined up care for people.

The Government was restructuring the NHS and it was expected that a new body would be formed from 1^st April 2022, the Integrated Care NHS Board, which would take on all roles and responsibilities of the CCGs, which would then cease to exist. 

Day to day care

The last 18 months had been a traatic and difficult period generally and for the NHS in particular.  The opening up of society was welcomed and they were proud of their role within the vaccination programme, but the pandemic was still very prevalent and would continue to have a considerable affect for the next 6-9 months and probably for years to come.

Colleagues had done an amazing job, but were fatigued and everything was being done to support services as they advanced into what would be a very difficult winter.

The Trust still had Covid-19 patients, 61 at that moment in time, and 5 had died since 1^st September 2021. 

The Urgent & Emergency Care service was literallly ‘on its knees’ due to demand and had been on the highest level of alert for the last few weeks.  The ambulance services were waiting for long periods to discharge patients to A&E and A&E patients were more regularly waiting over 12 hours, which was a rare occurrence before the pandemic.  Demand for urgent day to day care was huge.

Elective operations

There had been regular cancellations of elective operations across the county.  ULHT had cancelled a few, but generally, was working well to hold to their commitments. 

There were 61,000 Lincolnshire people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

(For Members to note/discuss the Committee’s current work programme)

The Assistant Director - Assets advised Members that the report on the Case Management System would not be ready for the Committee’s next meeting on 4^th November 2021.  Instead, the Senior Leadership Team ask that the Committee receive a report on the actions taken by the Council in response to the Peer Review of 2019, which would be particularly important as the Strategic Alliance moved towards the three-way partnership with South Holland District.